By Graham Carlson
“Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” is premiering Thursday, Nov. 6 at Grand Rapids Community College’s Spectrum Theater, directed by Carrie McNulty and led by a charismatic and tight-knit cast.
The play based on the classic Gothic horror novel follows an ensemble of characters – including Jonathan Harker, his sister Mina, and Jonathan’s fiancée, Lucy Westfeldt – as their lives are entangled by the mysterious and dangerous Count Dracula.
“We all have such a special bond … acting is effortless for us,” said Kayden Bravata, 21.
Bravata, as everyone in the show, plays a variety of roles, including Mina Harker and Doctor Jean Van Helsing. “It’s not what you expect, but it’s everything you sort of want it to be,” he said.
Jason Perez, 22, who plays Jonathan Harker, started theater in high school as a stage crew member. He found himself quickly welcomed into GRCC’s theater program.
“Some of us started as strangers in the beginning of the semester, and we’re friends now,” he said.
Sevi Cullum, 19, plays Lucy Westfeldt and is in her second year at GRCC. She’s taken part in all theater productions since then. “I like to be as involved as possible … I’ll actually be stage managing our next show,“ she said. Cullum describes the show in a way that should be encouraging to anyone unsure about theater: “It’s a really good example of a solid theater show … just come for 90 minutes and laugh your ass off,” she said.
Shoshanah Hilliker, 20, is a dresser alongside being on the deck crew.
“A show like Dracula has many quick changes, whether it’s a single coat and wig over another costume or taking apart a five-piece ensemble just to throw on a new outfit.”
In that sense, it seems Dracula is a unique challenge – and valuable experience for their theater career at GRCC and beyond. “Like anywhere, you don’t always get warm spaces in theater … I’m happy to say GRCC has been one of the good ones,” Hilliker said.
“Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” will be showing over the weekend starting Thursday at 7:30 to p.m. to 9:30 p.m. You can read more and buy tickets here.
